Final stretch
The second and final round of the 2024 TNM Super League rolls into life this afternoon with runaway leaders Silver Strikers hoping to keep their title aspirations on the boil when they visit Karonga United.
The Bankers, who sit pretty at the pinnacle of the domestic top-flight with 37 points, nine above second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, finished the first round as the only unbeaten side.
But although their coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda was an oasis of calm in a pre-match interview yesterday, he acknowledged the mammoth task his charges face against Ingwina ya Karonga at their Karonga Stadium fortress.
He said: “It is always a tall order playing Karonga at their backyard. They are always inspired, the atmosphere is intimidating because of their passionate supporters and they just give away too little.
“They are not an easy team. We know how dangerous they are, but we are ready.”
The former South African second-tier side Black Leopards coach, who has been handed the task to end Silver’s 11-year title drought, said it is important that they start the second round on a good note.
“We dropped eight points on the road last season and if we are to keep our hopes alive, then we need to do better,” he said.
Silver have bolstered their squad with two mid-season signings, midfielder Levison Maganizo, who has returned to Area 47 after a stint with Kamuzu Barracks, and Nigerian forward Friday Osagie formerly of Bangwe All Stars.
On the other hand, Karonga, who are 11th with 19 points, have roped in youthful forward Ernest Mwenitete from lower league side Chicago FC and defender Neverson Nkhoma from Iponga FC.
In an interview yesterday, Karonga coach Oscar Kaunda said he hopes his charges will continue with their recent good run of form that saw them beat reigning champions FCB Nyasa Bullets 2-1 and booted out Mafco FC from the FDH Bank Cup with a similar margin victory away.
He said: “This will be a big test for us because we are up against the leaders, who are unbeaten so far.
“We hope we can be the first team to end their good run buoyed by home ground advantage, but it won’t be easy because we are up against a good team.”
Silver won the first round match 4-2. Karonga are 11th with 19 points.
Blessings Mwalilino and Saulos Moyo will be the men the Bankers will keep a wary eye on while the likes of Uchizi Vunga, Chimwemwe Idana and Stain Dave carry Silver’s hopes.
Another interesting fixture this afternoon is between second-placed Wanderers and Mzuzu City Hammers, who are third at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Nomads go into this fixture with bitter memories of the first round fixture when they were hammered 2-0 at Mzuzu Stadium, which led to their former coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan throwing in the towel after two straight losses.
The Nomads, will therefore, be on a revenge mission apart from trying to narrow the gap with Silver.
On the other hand, a win for the Hammers could see them level on points with Wanderers who, however, have a better goal difference.
Wanderers interim coach Meck Mwase said they are eyeing revenge.
“We are looking forward to the match and the morale is high,” he said.
His Hammers counterpart Kondwa Ikangwa said they expect a tough match.
“We are ready for them, of course with home crowd and home ground advantage, we expect them to come hard on us. But we can handle that,”he said.
In other matches, Civil Service United host Chitipa United at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Bangwe All Stars face PremierBet Dedza Dynamos at Balaka Stadium while at Aubrey Dimba Stadium, it will be a battle of rookies when Creck Sporting Club line up against Baka FC.
